The Brew Cabin

The soldier course has been laid. On the edge along the pavement the top of the blocks are level with the pavement at one side of the drive, but they gradually rise relative to the pavement level such that the blocks are 50mm higher than the pavement at the other side of the drive. Thus there is a small step to trip over at one side, and these (standard) blocks are not retained against the pavement.

This seems slightly unusual. Or am I just worrying about nothing? Hope this makes sense.

Is this paving being done by yourself or by a contractor?

If a contractor is laying the blocks, they may be planning to use what we call an "accommodation strip" at the threshold of the driveway. This usually involves a few spadefuls of bitmac to ease out the difference between your supposedly level driveway and the uneven/inaccurate levels of the public footpath.

However, if this is a DIY job, then maybe you want to consider the accommodation strip idea. :)

I've just received the photo you've to sent me to illustrate the problem (for you other Brew Cabin Irregulars, Bluebear asks me not to post the image for personal reasons)

I'm a bit cofused with it, to be honest. There is a bitmac public footpath, with a concrete edging kerb at the rear, and then your driveway, with the blocks tight against the "back" of the egding kerb. However, at the end nearest the camera, the blocks are, as you said, well out of the ground, and I can't see a reason why.

The notion of using an accommodation strip is not viable, as the edging kerb is still in place, and to put bitmac over the edging is very naughty. An accommodation strip would be ok if the edging kerb had first been removed, and the edge blocks were tight against the bitmac. I'm not sure whether the contractor has laid the blocks in this fashion to maintain some sort of plane level on the driveway, which is totally unnecessary, or whether they couldn't be bothered chiselling out the concrete haunching at the back of the edgings to make room for the edge course blocks. Whatever the reason, it doesn't seem right - have you asked them for an explanation?

The explanation was "to make it look right". I suspect that it was a case of being the easy way out once the excavation and sub-base had been done at the wrong level. They are now going to (reluctantly) lower the front edge. At least its not just me "being picky"! A similar job done by the same contractor has very similar levels, and looks very neat and professional. Perhaps the hot weather last week was just too much! Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know what the end result is like.

But it doesn't "look right"!

At least you're getting it sorted. Keep us informed. :)

Well, back from my hols, so here's an update:

The whole job was finally finished after 2 weeks (including the hottest days on record!), just 1 hour before I left for my hols. Its all been completed to my satisfaction now, with the front edge having been dropped down to pavement level; I'll mail you some pics, feel free to post these. I just need to decide whether or not to seal it in a few months time...

[Just in case anyone's curious, the cost was approx #60 per sq metre, plus #100 to fell and remove a large scotts pine.]

BlueBear

And here are Bob's pictures...





...these first two show the problem with the excessively high soldier edge course, and how it was resoived, and this next photo shows the completed job.....



...are those the "Elite" blocks from Marshalls, Bob?

Driveline Excel in brindle. Quite pleased with them; didn't want standard "Tescos" blocks and these are reasonably priced.

Bob.

They're the ones that are not as 'raised' as the Elite, aren't they. I've had mixed feedback on the Elite - some clients/contractors really like it, but some think it's dreadful and too 'artificial-looking', that why I asked you. Meanwhile, the Excel seems to be a reasonably popular mid-price option for those looking for something with a bit of character.

I know what you mean about Elite. I thought it was just about OK but my wife hated it!

Many thanks for your comments, and thanks for putting up such a great web-site; by far the most useful and well-maintained I have ever come across!

Bob.